The Basketball Buckeyes have made a habit of playing close games this year. Tuesday night they were able to win one.
Jae'Sean Tate's driving lay-up with 3 seconds left, lifted Ohio State to a 71-70 win at Penn State. Tate's game winner came moments after his sixth turnover of the game nearly cost the Buckeyes. Up 69-67, Ohio State had possession when Tate was whistled for traveling. It gave the Nittany Lions possession and freshman guard Tony Carr nailed a 3-pointer to give Penn State a brief 1-point lead. That's when Tate went to work, taking a pass from Ja'Quan Lyle near mid-court and driving hard to the basket, banking in a lay-up in traffic to win it.
Check out the Big Ten Network video below, and also, the video taken by Dispatch Buckeye basketball reporter Adam Jardy, which includes Tate's post-game comments on the play.
The nerve wracking finish has become common place for Ohio State (17-13, 7-10 Big 10) this year. Of their 17 Big 10 games, it is the 11th game decided by six points or less. It is the fifth game decided by two points or fewer and the fourth 1-point game in league play. The Buckeyes are 2-2 in those games, losing two 1-point home games (Purdue, Nebraska) and winning two 1-point games on the road (Nebraska, Penn State.)